Yasuda caught the ball and didn't hesitate—he launched it straight downcourt!
Nango sprinted ahead with Sendoh chasing, and Sakuragi not far behind.
Glancing back, Nango slowed just enough to receive the pass.
Sendoh seized the moment, racing past to cut him off at the restricted area. Guarding two at once—this was his only option.
But Nango read his intent perfectly. Instead of charging inside, he stopped on a dime, rose, and sank a clean mid-range jumper.
74–70.
"Damn it…" Sakuragi skidded in late, fists clenched.
But Nango didn't care. Passing to Sakuragi would've been too risky—Sendoh would've interfered, and the chance might've been wasted. This was the smarter choice.
With that shot, Shohoku stretched the lead to four. Only 3:40 remained on the clock.
Beep! Beep! Timeout, Ryonan!
"Nice work, Nango!" Kogure grinned as they returned to the bench.
His second-half performance had shocked everyone. To not only match Sendoh but slightly edge him out—it was beyond anyone's expectations.
"It's nothing, senpai." Nango waved it off. Beating Sendoh and Uozumi wasn't worth bragging about. Ryonan still wasn't showing their full strength.
The bench buzzed with chatter, the players riding high as if victory was already in hand.
"Idiots!" Akagi roared, dousing them like cold water. "The game isn't over! Don't relax until the final buzzer!"
Silence fell. No one dared argue. He was right—the lead was slim, and the match far from decided.
Just as Kogure was about to smooth things over, Nango spoke up.
"Captain, relax. Just give me the ball, and I'll finish this. I'll bring us home."
"You fool! Don't underestimate—"
"Don't worry," Nango cut him off. "You'll see."
Then he turned to Rukawa, extending his fist. "Rest time's over. Ready to finish this?"
Rukawa smirked and bumped fists. "I don't need rest."
Tch, tsundere. Nango thought.
From the corner, Sakuragi glared. "Are those two bastards teaming up now? Fine! I'll crush them both… and the Gorilla King… and Sendoh! Just wait!"
The timeout ended. Rukawa subbed in for Yasuda. Ryonan ball.
Sendoh had caught his breath. With 3:30 left, and down by four, Ryonan's fate rested on him alone. Uozumi had been neutralized by Akagi. Taoka knew—only Sendoh could carry them now.
Shohoku's defense tightened. Nango shaded hard to Sendoh's right, leaving the left lane open. The other four players' eyes never left Sendoh.
A trap…? Sendoh frowned. Doesn't matter. Even if it's a tiger's den, I'll break through.
He exploded forward—fake right, crossover, then a powerful drive left!
Nango chased close behind, but another body cut him off.
"I've got you now, Sendoh!" Sakuragi lunged in, spreading his arms wide.
He'd been waiting for this moment the entire game. Finally, he would prove himself!
Sendoh, however, was a step ahead. Like lightning, his dribble dropped low, the ball scraping the floor.
Sakuragi slid with him. Sneakers screeched, the sound sharp as steel. Sendoh planted hard, crossed right—then instantly snapped back left, blowing past in a blur.
Sakuragi spun helplessly, left behind in the dust.
"Ohhh!" The crowd erupted. Sendoh's movement was art, a blur of elegance and speed.
Nango scrambled to recover. Sakuragi turned to double, but it was too late.
Sendoh soared, body poised like a blade in midair. With effortless grace, he released the ball.
A perfect arc. A perfect swish.
74–72.
The arena shook with cheers. Ryonan's ace had struck again.
Akagi wiped sweat from his brow. "…He's only getting scarier."
"Don't dwell on it," Nango told him, slapping Sakuragi's shoulder. "Next stop, we'll answer back."
Sakuragi shoved his hand away, scowling.
Wow, touchy… guess he doesn't need cheering up, Nango thought wryly.
Shohoku's turn.
Nango brought the ball up, then passed to Rukawa before cutting inside to post up Sendoh.
Rukawa hesitated, then passed it back.
"Huh. Rukawa Kaede…" Ayako blinked, impressed. He's changed. He trusts Nango.
And with good reason—Sendoh couldn't contain Nango one-on-one.
This time, however, Sugadaira abandoned Sakuragi to double-team Nango. Taoka could no longer gamble on Sendoh's pride—he ordered help defense.
Sakuragi, wide open, fumed. What? Ignoring me?! You bastards…!
Meanwhile, Nango grinned inwardly. Two defenders? That's all? Naive.
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